AS/NZS 1020:1995

1 - AS/NZS 1020:1995 - THE CONTROL OF UNDESIRABLE STATIC ELECTRICITY
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
9 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
9 - 1.1 SCOPE
9 - 1.2 PURPOSE
9 - 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
9 - 1.3.1 Standards
10 - 1.3.2 Other publications
11 - 1.4 DEFINITIONS
11 - 1.4.1 Antistatic (used as adjective)
11 - 1.4.2 Bonding
11 - 1.4.3 Earthing (Grounding)
11 - 1.4.4 Conductors
12 - 1.4.5 Non-conductors (insulators)
12 - 1.4.6 Ignitable materials and mixtures
12 - 1.4.7 Intrinsically safe circuit
12 - 1.4.8 Static electricity
12 - 1.4.9 Static discharge
12 - 1.4.10 Resistivity
13 - SECTION 2 GENERATION, INDUCTION AND DANGERS BASIC CONSIDERATIONS
13 - 2.1 GENERATION OF STATIC
13 - 2.2 INDUCTION OF STATIC
13 - 2.3 COMMON SOURCES OF GENERATION
14 - 2.4 FIRE AND EXPLOSION DANGERS
14 - 2.5 REMOVAL OF FIRE AND EXPLOSION DANGERS
14 - 2.6 WORKING SURFACES AND FLOOR SURFACE COVERINGS
16 - SECTION 3 STATIC DISCHARGES
16 - 3.1 NATURE OF STATIC DISCHARGES
16 - 3.2 ENERGY OF A STATIC DISCHARGE
18 - SECTION 4 SOLID OBJECTS
18 - 4.1 SELECTION OF AN APPROPRIATE CONTROL METHOD
18 - 4.2 CONDUCTING OBJECTS
18 - 4.2.1 General
18 - 4.2.2 Earthing
19 - 4.2.3 Bonding
19 - 4.2.4 Earthing and bonding conductors
19 - 4.2.5 Mobile apparatus
19 - 4.2.6 Rotating shafts
19 - 4.3 NON-CONDUCTING OBJECTS
19 - 4.3.1 General
20 - 4.3.2 Increasing the conductivity of non-conducting objects
20 - 4.3.3 Increasing the humidity of the air
20 - 4.3.4 Ionization of the air
23 - SECTION 5 PERSONS
23 - 5.1 GENERAL
23 - 5.2 WEARING APPAREL (OTHER THAN FOOTWEAR)
23 - 5.3 EARTHING OF PERSONS BY FOOTWEAR
24 - 5.4 OTHER MEANS OF EARTHING PERSONS
25 - SECTION 6 LIQUIDS
25 - 6.1 INTRODUCTION
25 - 6.1.1 Generation of static
25 - 6.1.2 Fire and explosion dangers
25 - 6.1.3 Factors affecting static generation
27 - 6.1.4 Tendency of particular liquids to generate static
27 - 6.2 SELECTION AND APPLICATION OF AN APPROPRIATE CONTROL METHOD
28 - 6.3 DISSIPATING CHARGE FROM INSTALLATIONS
28 - 6.4 DISSIPATING CHARGE FROM LIQUIDS
28 - 6.4.1 Conducting liquids
28 - 6.4.2 Non-conducting liquids
28 - 6.5 CONDUCTIVITY IMPROVERS (ANTISTATIC ADDITIVES)
28 - 6.6 REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF STATIC DISCHARGES ABOVE A LIQUID SURFACE
29 - 6.7 AVOIDANCE OF TURBULENCE
29 - 6.8 AVOIDANCE OF CONTAMINANTS
29 - 6.9 AVOIDANCE OF HIGH FLOW VELOCITIES
29 - 6.9.1 General
29 - 6.9.2 Hydrocarbons
30 - 6.9.3 Liquids other than hydrocarbons
30 - 6.10 USE OF RELAXATION SECTIONS
31 - 6.11 STATIC CHARGE REDUCERS
31 - 6.12 METALLIC PIPING
32 - 6.13 HOSES AND COUPLINGS
33 - 6.14 FILLING OF VESSELS
33 - 6.15 NON-CONDUCTING VESSELS
33 - 6.15.1 General
33 - 6.15.2 Lined vessels
33 - 6.15.3 Road tankers
33 - 6.16 TRANSFER OF SMALL QUANTITIES
33 - 6.17 BLENDING AND MIXING
33 - 6.18 SAMPLING FROM HIGH PRESSURE SOURCES
33 - 6.19 PNEUMATIC TRANSFER OF LIQUIDS
34 - 6.20 SPRAYING
34 - 6.21 SWITCH LOADING
35 - SECTION 7 GASES
35 - 7.1 INTRODUCTION
35 - 7.2 MINIMIZING STATIC GENERATION
35 - 7.3 PREVENTION OF STATIC ACCUMULATION
35 - 7.4 REMOVAL OF IGNITABLE MATERIALS AND MIXTURES
36 - SECTION 8 DUSTS
36 - 8.1 INTRODUCTION
36 - 8.1.1 General
36 - 8.1.2 Generation of static
36 - 8.1.3 Factors influencing static generation and accumulation
37 - 8.2 MINIMIZING STATIC GENERATION
37 - 8.3 DISSIPATING CHARGE FROM EQUIPMENT
37 - 8.3.1 Outlet nozzles
37 - 8.3.2 Objects in dust streams
37 - 8.3.3 Sampling
37 - 8.3.4 Bags and containers for collecting and transporting dust
38 - SECTION 9 POWDERED OR GRANULAR SOLIDS
38 - 9.1 INTRODUCTION
38 - 9.2 HANDLING
38 - 9.3 CONTROL OF STATIC
39 - SECTION 10 DRIVE AND CONVEYOR BELTS
39 - 10.1 GENERATION OF STATIC
39 - 10.2 CONTROL OF STATIC
39 - 10.2.1 Replacement of drive
39 - 10.2.2 Belts
40 - 10.2.3 Pulleys, idler rollers and shafting
40 - 10.2.4 Safety guards
41 - 10.2.5 Materials discharged from conveyors
42 - SECTION 11 EXPLOSIVES
42 - 11.1 INTRODUCTION
42 - 11.2 ASSESSING THE HAZARD
42 - 11.3 MINIMIZING THE HAZARD
42 - 11.3.1 Materials of construction
43 - 11.3.2 The application of suitable surface coating
43 - 11.3.3 Radioactive ionizers
43 - 11.3.4 Relative humidity
43 - 11.3.5 Bonding and earthing
43 - 11.3.6 Plant arrangement
43 - 11.3.7 Clothing and footwear
43 - 11.3.8 Drive belts and conveyor belts
44 - SECTION 12 PRINTING PROCESSES
44 - 12.1 INTRODUCTION
44 - 12.1.1 General
44 - 12.1.2 Generation of static
44 - 12.1.3 Factors influencing static generation
44 - 12.2 MINIMIZING STATIC GENERATION
45 - 12.3 PREVENTION OF STATIC ACCUMULATION
45 - 12.4 REMOVAL OF IGNITABLE MIXTURES
46 - SECTION 13 COATING, SPREADING AND IMPREGNATING
46 - 13.1 INTRODUCTION
46 - 13.2 CONTROL OF STATIC AND REMOVAL OF IGNITABLE MIXTURES
47 - SECTION 14 PROCESSING AND CONVERSION OF PLASTICS AND RUBBER MATERIALS
47 - 14.1 INTRODUCTION
47 - 14.2 GENERATION OF STATIC
47 - 14.2.1 Flexible web processes
47 - 14.2.2 Extrusion processes
47 - 14.2.3 Moulding processes
47 - 14.3 CONTROL OF STATIC
48 - 14.4 SOLUTION CASTING OF FILM
48 - 14.4.1 General
48 - 14.4.2 Prevention of static accumulation during film casting
48 - 14.4.3 Dissolving film waste (Spoil)
48 - 14.4.4 Removal of flammable mixtures
48 - 14.5 END-USE APPLICATIONS
50 - SECTION 15 DRYCLEANING
50 - 15.1 INTRODUCTION
50 - 15.2 CONTROL OF STATIC
50 - 15.2.1 Earthing and bonding
50 - 15.2.2 Solvent conductivity
50 - 15.2.3 Humidification
50 - 15.2.4 Persons
51 - SECTION 16 SUNDRY PROCESSES INVOLVING FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
51 - 16.1 LOADING AND UNLOADING ROAD TANKERS
51 - 16.2 RAIL TANK WAGONS
51 - 16.3 FUELLING AND DEFUELLING AIRCRAFT
51 - 16.4 LOADING AND UNLOADING TANKERS AND BARGES
51 - 16.5 FUELLING MOTOR VEHICLES
51 - 16.6 TRANSFER OF ETHER AND CARBON DISULPHIDE
52 - SECTION 17 SUNDRY PROCESSES INVOLVING PRESSURIZED GAS
52 - 17.1 DISCHARGE OF CARBON DIOXIDE
52 - 17.2 MIXTURES OF HYDROGEN OR ACETYLENE WITH AIR
52 - 17.3 TRANSFER OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)
52 - 17.4 STEAM JETS
52 - 17.5 SPRAY PAINTING
53 - SECTION 18 HANDLING OF ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE DEVICES
53 - 18.1 INTRODUCTION
53 - 18.2 BASIC PROTECTION PRINCIPLES
53 - 18.3 LABELLING
53 - 18.4 TYPES OF PACKAGES AVAILABLE
53 - 18.4.1 Polymer bags with thin metal coating
53 - 18.4.2 Coloured polymer bags
54 - 18.4.3 Polymer bags with high carbon content
55 - SECTION 19 DETECTION OF ELECTRIC POTENTIAL OR ELECTRIC FIELD STRENGTH
55 - 19.1 GENERAL
55 - 19.2 NEON LAMPS
55 - 19.3 ELECTROSCOPES
55 - 19.4 OTHER METHODS
56 - SECTION 20 MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRIC POTENTIAL OR ELECTRIC FIELD STRENGTH
56 - 20.1 MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRIC POTENTIAL WITH CONTACTING INSTRUMENTS
56 - 20.1.1 Electrostatic voltmeters
57 - 20.1.2 Electronic voltmeters
57 - 20.2 MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND ELECTRIC FIELD STRENGTHWITHNON-CONTACTINGINSTRUMENTS. 20.2.1 General
57 - 20.2.1 General
58 - 20.2.2 Electrometers
58 - 20.2.3 Induction electric field strength meters
59 - 20.2.4 Radioactive ionization field strength meters
59 - 20.3 CALIBRATION OF NON-CONTACTING ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS
60 - 20.4 MEASUREMENTS IN HAZARDOUS AREAS
60 - 20.4.1 General
60 - 20.4.2 Using an electrostatic or electronic voltmeter
64 - 20.4.3 Using non-contacting instruments
65 - SECTION 21 DETERMINATION OF CAPACITANCE
65 - 21.1 CALCULATION OF CAPACITANCE
65 - 21.2 CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT
65 - 21.2.1 General
65 - 21.2.2 Elimination of errors due to earthing the Cx terminal
66 - 21.2.3 Elimination of error due to lead capacitance
67 - SECTION 22 MEASUREMENT OF CHARGES
67 - 22.1 MEASUREMENT OF STATIC CHARGE
68 - SECTION 23 MEASUREMENT OF RESISTANCE OR CONDUCTANCE
68 - 23.1 GENERAL
68 - 23.2 RESISTANCE OF EARTHING CIRCUITS
68 - 23.3 RESISTANCE OF MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS
68 - 23.4 PERSONNEL RESISTANCE TESTER
69 - 23.5 LIQUID CONDUCTIVITY
71 - APPENDIX A - EXAMPLES OF SOLVING PRACTICAL PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM STATIC
71 - A1 EXAMPLE WITH DRIVING BELT
71 - A1.1 Problem
71 - A1.2 Solution
71 - A2 EXAMPLE WITH CONDUCTING SHOES
71 - A2.1 Problem
71 - A2.2 Solution
72 - A3 EXAMPLE WITH STATIC COMB
72 - A3.1 Problem
72 - A3.2 Solution
72 - A4 EXAMPLE WITH INSULATING SHEET CHARGED BY CONTACT AND SEPARATION WITH ANOTHER BODY
72 - A4.1 Problem
72 - A4.2 Solution
73 - A5 EXAMPLES WITH LIQUIDS AND RELAXATION SECTIONS
73 - A5.1 Problem
73 - A5.2 Solution
73 - A5.3 Problem
73 - A5.4 Solution
74 - A6 EXAMPLE WITH FILM CHARGED BY PASSING THROUGH A MACHINE
74 - A6.1 Problem
74 - A6.2 Investigation
74 - A6.3 Calculation
75 - A6.4 Evaluation of results
75 - A6.5 Solution
76 - APPENDIX B - FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
76 - B1 VAPOURS
76 - B1.1 Vapour pressure
76 - B1.2 Flammable limits
77 - B1.3 Mists and foams
77 - B2 REDUCING THE HAZARDS OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
77 - B2.1 General precautions
77 - B2.2 Reducing quantity of flammable liquids
78 - B2.3 Enclosure of flammable mixtures
78 - B2.4 Preventing formation of flammable mixture.
80 - APPENDIX C - METHOD FOR LAYING AND EARTHING CONDUCTING FLOORING
82 - APPENDIX E - CONDUCTING COATINGS FOR DRIVE AND CONVEYOR BELTS
82 - E1 INTRODUCTION
82 - E2 GENERAL COATING
82 - E3 COATING FOR RUBBER BELTS

Provides recommendations relating to safe control of electrostatic charges generated incidentally by processes or activities. Its purpose is to assist in reducing fire, explosion and nuisance aspects associated with static electricity. It outlines conditions under which the presence of static causes a hazard and recommends methods for its safe dissipation or mitigation. Appendices provide information about the hazards caused by static electricity in the vicinity of flammable mixtures, on minimum ignition energies for a range of chemicals and give examples of solving problems resulting from static electricity.

This Standard sets out recommendations for controlling static electricity (hereinafter referred to as 'static') which may be generated incidentally by processes or activities and which may present hazards, damage or inconvenience.Considerations relating to the generation of static and the problems it presents in a given environment are given, together with a description of methods and equipment for measuring electric potential, charge, capacitance and resistance parameters associated with electrostatically charged objects. Specific control methods are given for some industries.The provisions of the standard should not be regarded as overriding statutory requirements, but may be construed as working recommendations to be used in conjunction with such requirements.Methods for minimizing the risk of static causing a fire or explosion arising from the use of flammable medical agents are not included, as they are given in AS 1169. Similarly, methods for affording protection from lightning are not included, as these are given in AS/NZS 1768, nor does this standard include the earthing systems of patient treatment areas in hospitals and the like.NOTE: Examples of the solving of some practical problems resulting from static are given in Appendix A.

First published in Australia as AS 1020-1970.
Second edition 1984.
First published in New Zealand as NZS/AS 1020:1984.
Jointly revised and designated as Joint Standard AS/NZS 1020:1995.